Chapter 15

Wei Qi stared at her without moving. She kept her head bowed, and after a long while finally whispered, “She really doesn’t like me. She’s said before that her mother is only one person, Madam Guo, and I am nothing.”

Wei Qi’s expression grew even darker at these words. After a moment of silence, he spoke with a trace of helplessness, “She is so rude—what will happen when she marries into another family? If one day we have daughters of our own, your sister’s bad reputation will affect them as well.”

Trying such tricks with her! Song Yan seethed inwardly. She could hardly take care of herself now, let alone worry about some future daughter. Where would she find the energy for that?

But it would do her no good to anger him, so she suppressed her resentment and replied gently, “Xier is just young. After your punishment this time, she should learn her lesson and become sensible in the future. She won’t earn a bad name for herself—there’s no need for you to worry too much.”

It was utter nonsense, and both she and Wei Qi knew it. But this was her stance.

Sure enough, Wei Qi said nothing for a long while, only looking at her. She kept her head lowered, avoiding his gaze and staying silent.

In the end, Wei Qi gave in. “Let’s talk about this later.”

Song Yan softly answered, “Mm,” playing the part of the gentle, obedient wife.

Usually, when he came here, it was for conjugal duties. But tonight, after their quarrel, the atmosphere was awkward. He made no move, nor did she speak, and so they simply lay side by side on the bed and went to sleep separately.

But neither of them could sleep. Song Yan silently turned her back to him, hearing faint movements from his side—he wasn’t asleep either.

All this while, she had tried to be deferential and proper, the model of a virtuous wife, never wanting to defy him. Yet this was a matter she simply could not accept.

All he had to do was say a word, and she would be saddled with the responsibility of raising a child. And then what?

Wei Xi’s rudeness—was it because Lady Jiang had neglected her upbringing, or was it simply in her nature? At twelve, a person’s character was already set. How could Song Yan possibly change her? Even if she were allowed to scold or punish her, it was a joke—she didn’t have the nerve to discipline Wei Xi. If she did, she’d soon be accused of mistreating the legitimate daughter. Where would she go to plead her case then?

Normally, he acted as if this daughter didn’t exist. But now, with Wei Xi making a mistake and bringing shame to the Marquis’s household, he dealt out a round of punishment. Lady Jiang’s present fate could well be Song Yan’s tomorrow—next time, it might be her and Wei Xi kneeling before his late wife’s memorial tablet together.

Song Yan thought bitterly, better to offend him now than be forced to kneel later. After all, he had no grounds to truly punish her just because she refused to raise Wei Xi.

The matter was thus left unresolved. It was said that Wei Xi and Lady Jiang were made to kneel all night, and then placed under house arrest. Wei Qi’s methods of discipline were crude and hasty; soon after, he went off to attend to his official duties.

He didn’t come to stay with her, and Song Yan guessed he was angry at her. But there was nothing she could do—so long as she was spared the task of raising Wei Xi, even if he ignored her for half a year, it was worth it.

Besides, Zhu Manman hadn’t borne him a child either; with someone else in front, she wasn’t in a hurry.

A few days later, on the third day of the fifth month, Song Yan’s nurse went out to buy silk thread and happened to run into Miss Gong Yulan from the Gong family, who was visiting relatives. Gong Yulan sent word inviting her to join her on the fifth, during the Dragon Boat Festival, to watch the dragon boat races at the royal Western Garden.

On that day, the Emperor would invite all the high officials to the Western Garden to watch the races. Officials of fifth rank or above could bring their families. Gong Yulan’s father happened to be a fifth-rank scholar at the Hall of Broad Learning. Song Yan had attended with Gong Yulan once before.

Of course Song Yan was tempted. Not only could she go out, but she could meet her friend as well. After considering it, she told her mother-in-law. Though Lady Zhang was strict in many areas, she didn’t restrict her here, only advising her to behave properly at the Western Garden and return early.

Song Yan was delighted. Early on the fifth, she took the ox cart to meet Gong Yulan at the appointed corner near the Marquis’s residence. Gong Yulan, originally riding with her father in a carriage, ran over to join her and asked, “Why does the Marquis’s ox cart look just like yours? I thought it would be especially grand and imposing!”

Song Yan replied, “It was built by the same craftsman as ours. It was part of my dowry.”

Gong Yulan was surprised. “The cart and the ox too?”

Song Yan nodded.

“Your mother is so good to you, giving you an ox cart as part of your dowry.”

Song Yan sighed, “Yes, she didn’t want me to have to beg for everything over there. Though it doesn’t count for much—maybe in a couple of months, I’ll have to quietly sell the cart for some money.”

Gong Yulan stared at her in surprise, so Song Yan explained, “The Marquis’s residence may be grand, but the expenses are huge. I spend less now than I used to.”

“But your father’s a Grand Secretary, and his salary must be considerable,” Gong Yulan replied.

Song Yan whispered, “It’s not in my hands. I have no idea how much there is.”

“Then ask him for it!” Gong Yulan urged.

Song Yan sounded discouraged. “I dare not. What if he refuses? That would be awkward.”

“If he won’t give it to you, don’t let him into your bed,” Gong Yulan said.

Song Yan tapped her lightly. “You’re not even married yet and dare say such things.”

Gong Yulan laughed, “Aren’t we alone? Why can’t you be bold?”

Song Yan sighed, “A little, perhaps.”

If it were Wei Xiu, she would dare say anything, but with Wei Qi… she couldn’t.

And then there was the matter of Wei Xi.

She told her friend about Wei Qi wanting her to raise Wei Xi. Since they rarely saw each other, she couldn’t help but vent her troubles.

Gong Yulan said, “No wonder you wanted to enter the Western Garden with my father. So you and Lord Wei aren’t getting along.”

She supported her, “Of course you shouldn’t agree. What good comes from a stepmother raising a child? And she’s already twelve, with a concubine mother—she’ll never be truly close to you.”

“Exactly. Living together would only bring more trouble,” Song Yan replied.

“That’s nothing,” Gong Yulan added. “When she marries in a few years, you’ll have to give her a dowry for raising her. That’s a waste of money.”

Song Yan thought so too. With Wei Xi’s tastes, she would scoff at anything less than a small fortune.

Their conclusion was: grit your teeth, refuse no matter what.

At the Western Garden, Song Yan went in with Gong Yulan and her father. Once inside, Mr. Gong left them to play together, advising, “This is the imperial garden and there are many nobles here today. Stay on this side of the lake and don’t wander over there…” Realizing Song Yan’s changed status, he added warmly, “Of course, that’s for Yulan. Lady Wei, you may do as you like.”

Song Yan felt a bit embarrassed, and Gong Yulan made a face at her father.

After Mr. Gong left, Gong Yulan asked, “Where do you want to go?”

“Aren’t we supposed to stay here?” Song Yan replied.

The Western Garden was vast, and this was just the entrance, far from the dragon boats with little scenery. The “other side” Mr. Gong had mentioned was the lakeside at the heart of the garden—the best spot, reserved for the Emperor. There, next to the water, stood a two-story pavilion. From its upper floor, one could avoid the sun and overlook the entire lake, watching the dragon boat races in full. It was built especially for the Emperor.

Only the imperial family, the Emperor’s close confidants, and those of noble rank could accompany him to the upper floor. Below, the area was reserved for the powerful. On either side extended two long, painted corridors, each with seats assigned by rank—only those of high status could enter.

As for everywhere else, there was neither tea nor seats, and one could barely see the races—people wandered about as they pleased. That was where most officials and their families lingered. Last time, Song Yan and Gong Yulan had mingled with the crowd, strolling the gardens.

Gong Yulan looked at her helplessly. “Next time, could you find a way to get me into one of those corridors? I thought I could finally bask in your glory.”

Song Yan hesitated, then said, “You should have told me earlier.”

If she’d mentioned it sooner, Song Yan might have persuaded Wei Qi to arrange a seat. But by the time Gong Yulan invited her, she and Wei Qi were already at odds—how could she bring up the dragon boat races? He probably didn’t even know she was here!

Gong Yulan, remembering the Wei Xi matter, added, “Watching the dragon boat races is a small thing, but you must never agree to raise a stepdaughter. You need to make a fuss, or they’ll think you’re easy to push around and dump all the thankless tasks on you in the future.”

Song Yan agreed wholeheartedly.

They chatted as they walked along the lakeshore, admiring flowers, scenery, and the latest fashions on other ladies.

There were thirteen races in total: ten preliminary rounds yielding thirty teams, followed by three finals to select the top three—champion, second, and third place.

They had barely reached the lakeside when the first race ended. All the competitors were top-notch, their slender boats gliding across the water like dragons.

Watching the young men rowing with vigor, Song Yan couldn’t help but think of her brother. He had loved horseracing, polo, ice sports—dragon boat racing was no exception. Five years ago, he had tried out for the Western Garden’s race but didn’t make the cut, complaining that his teammates had let him down. He vowed he’d one day compete properly in the Western Garden… Now, it was all just a distant wish.

Lost in thought, Song Yan was nudged gently in the arm.

Gong Yulan whispered, “Look over there.”

Song Yan turned to see a group sitting in a pavilion nearby. At the center was Tang Lingxiao.

Tang Lingyun, Tang Lingxiao’s twin brother, was the one who had unseated and injured her own brother.

Song Yan had only known Tang Lingyun before, not Tang Lingxiao. Back then, Tang Lingyun and her brother were close, until the day he knocked her brother from his horse, leaving him unconscious.

It was never clear whether it was intentional or an accident. While the Song family desperately sought doctors for their son and pondered how to approach the Tang family, rumors spread everywhere that Song Ran had harassed Tang Lingxiao, and that Tang Lingyun, defending his sister, had challenged Song Ran to a race. The story went that Song Ran, lacking skill, fell off his horse, and the Song family was trying to extort the Tang family.

Song Ran eventually awoke, but his legs were ruined, and he was slandered on top of that. The Song family, pushed to their limit, decided to take Tang Lingyun to court.

But both families were officials, and the truth was hard to determine. The capital’s magistrate delayed and stalled, and after more than a year the case faded away.

That same year, Tang Lingxiao married the brother of the Imperial Consort, soaring to new heights and becoming even more arrogant.

This pavilion in the Western Garden was clearly reserved for those of rank. Tang Lingxiao, decked out in jewels and hairpins, sat at the center, speaking and laughing, surrounded by women eager to please her—she was like the moon amid a host of stars.

So much for good deeds being rewarded and evil punished—it was nonsense, a fairy tale to comfort the masses. Take Tang Lingxiao, for example: after all she’d done, she lived in extravagance and ease.

Song Yan stared at Tang Lingxiao with hatred, only to see that, at that very moment, Tang Lingxiao looked up and saw her too.